First quarter SSA traffic volume strong

Passenger, auto, and truck (freight) traffic was up significantly during the first quarter of this year, compared with the year-ago period, according to the Steamship Authority’s records, released April 9. The improvement was reserved for the Vineyard routes. Auto and freight volumes to and from Nantucket were off.

For the Vineyard, passenger traffic rose 3.2 percent during the first three months of 2010, compared with the first quarter of 2009. Autos were up 3.3 percent, and freight 3.6 percent. These figures represent traffic to and from the Vineyard.

For Nantucket traffic, passenger rebounded 2.8 percent for the quarter, compared with the year ago period, but autos were down nine tenths of a percent and freight off 6.5 percent.

As for revenue, and for the line as a whole, passenger revenue rose 2.7 percent for the period, auto revenue two percent, but freight revenue was off 3.2 percent.